PNoy is wrong in claiming honor for PH

Batas Mauricio

I AM really sorry but I cannot agree with outgoing President Aquino’s pronouncement at the 118th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines “has already redeemed its integrity around the world.” Our country remains to be the subject of ridicule in the community of nations, especially during his term, so he has nothing to be proud of, really.

For one, Filipinos remain to be the domestic helpers, nannies, and workers occupying the lowest of positions in various places in the world, and are subjected to indignities, physical tortures, and humiliation even from children, most of the time. So what integrity can we boast of here?

Not that Filipinos who work abroad do not have integrity. They do have integrity in quantities that surpass that of Aquino, and they are even true heroes of the land because without their dollars our country would have capsized beyond retrieval already. But it is undeniable that in pursuing gainful employment abroad, Filipinos continue to be treated like doormats and mere objects, even if they are college degree holders and fully prepared academically.

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A texter who uses a Smart cell number sent me a long text message complaining about an alleged “bigtime drug pusher” who he said is an incumbent barangay chairman. The barangay head allegedly operates an illegal drug distribution system with the help of his brother, and a member of his barangay council.

My texter is claiming that the village head is not afraid of the threats being aired by incoming President Duterte against drug pushers and drug lords, allegedly because he is supported by foreigners who are operating drug syndicates internationally. The texter is asking where to forward his information against this barangay chairman.

In answer to this query, I will say that, perhaps, it is better to wait until Duterte shall have already assumed the presidency and his choice as the next chief of the Philippine National Police, Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, shall have been installed. It is safer to entrust sensitive information on drug activities to Duterte and dela Rosa.

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Let us see now. The “shake drill” carried out on June 22, 2016, like the first in 2015, was still egregiously wanting in truly preparing those who live and work against the death, damage, and destruction that a magnitude 7 earthquake will bring.

Let us admit it: nothing can really prepare anyone for an earthquake (or any other calamity or disaster for that matter) that measures magnitude 7 on the Richter scale. No one knows where it will strike, no one knows how the earth will shake, or how buildings and other structures will collapse or remain standing.

The only thing that would be certain during those perilous moments would be God’s blessing, guidance, and protection. God alone has the power to save, and to destroy or kill, whether through an earthquake, or a typhoon, or flood. Unfortunately, there is no one that is seriously preparing them to be under the care and protection of God.

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A reader sent this query through his cell number 09053182168, which I am translating in English: “I am a frequent of computer hacking. Every other month or every quarter, my ATM current account at a government bank (name withheld) is subjected to theft. The latest is today (June 22, 2016), where P800.00 was withdrawn without my knowledge. I have been repeatedly changing my pin code. How can this theft be stopped? Please help.”

My answer? Stop depositing your money though the ATM system altogether. In fact, stop depositing you money in the bank. Under existing policies, the bank where you are maintaining your ATM account could not be held accountable for any theft of your deposit. Also, your bank deposit earns very little interest, compared to the interest you pay when you get a bank loan.

It would be better if you can find a way to invest your extra money. Investing your extra money will not only give you an opportunity to develop a business that might be a better source of income. It will also allow you to become more creative in handling money matters, which is something that is not possible when one is merely in the employ of another.

E-mail: batasmauricio@yahoo.com